Agricultural toolbar apparatus, systems and methods
AssigneePrecision Planting LLC
InventorsGregg A. Sauder, Dale M. Koch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus for shifting weight between a tractor and toolbar and between sections of the toolbar, for controlling operative height of a toolbar and sections of a toolbar and for folding a toolbar between a work position and a transport position. A ground engaging wheel and an actuator are coupled to the toolbar. In one embodiment, a fluid control system is responsive to a command signal to modify the actuator pressure such that the actuator pressure corresponds to a desired pressure.
Claims20
A control system for an agricultural toolbar drawn across a ground surface by a tractor, comprising:
- a wheel coupled to the toolbar and engaging the ground surface;
- an actuator having an actuator pressure, said actuator being coupled to the toolbar, said actuator being disposed to modify a ground force between said wheel and the ground surface, said ground force being related to said actuator pressure;
- a fluid control system, said fluid control system being in fluid communication with said actuator, said fluid control system being operable to control said actuator pressure;
- and
- a controller in electrical communication with said fluid control system, wherein said controller is operable to send a command signal to the fluid control system, said command signal corresponding to a desired pressure, and wherein said fluid control system is operable to modify said actuator pressure in response to said command signal such that said actuator pressure corresponds to said desired pressure, and wherein said fluid control system is operable to maintain said actuator pressure at said desired pressure.
A method of controlling an agricultural toolbar drawn across a ground surface by a tractor, comprising:
- reconfiguring the toolbar from a transport position to a work position;
- sending a command signal corresponding to a desired ground force between a ground-engaging wheel pivotally coupled to said toolbar and the ground surface;
- modifying an actuator pressure in a weight transfer actuator such that said ground force corresponds to said desired ground force;
- and
- maintaining said modified actuator pressure such that said ground force is maintained at said desired ground force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.